But the site was bought last year and now developers, Cabot Park, have revealed plans to change the main mansion house into a nine bedroom boutique hotel.

They also want to create 20 holiday units on the grounds and extend the main accommodation to bring in a restaurant with 120 covers.

The firm says it would commit to using local builders and suppliers where possible for the multi-million pound scheme.

Patrick Anderson, from Cabot Park Ltd, said the aim was to create a high quality, boutique hotel that would be restaurant-led.

He said they had already worked with planners to try to produce a scheme that would win approval.

“We are now trying to get this through planning and are hopeful we have a viable scheme for the site," Mr Anderson said.

“We are already in discussion with hotel and restaurant operators and there is interest in coming to this site.

“Our aim is for a restaurant-led boutique hotel.

“This will bring new jobs although the number will depend on the operators that come to the site.”

In 2009, there was a proposal by Cheshire based Dowhill Developments Ltd to convert the Georgian-era building into a seven-bedroom boutique-style hotel complete with swimming pool, spa and gym but it fell through when the UK economy slumped.

It was then offered for sale again in March 2013.

Planning agent Dewis Architecture said: “The proposal is to restore Plas Brereton as a nine bedroom hotel with a modest single-storey extension to accommodate a restaurant.

"The existing outbuildings will be rebuilt to accommodate 15 units and, along with four appropriately designed and located new units, will provide holiday accommodation serviced by the hotel.

“The former Dock Keeper’s cottage (now referred to as the boathouse) on the banks of the Menai Strait will provide a further unit and the existing lodge/ gatehouse on the A487 will be restored to provide staff facilities.”

They added: “Development of the site has been consistently unsuccessful over the years resulting in Plas Brereton providing a forlorn welcome to visitors to Caernarfon.

“The development of such a large site has to be financially viable and our brief has clearly set out that project viability is to be considered hand in hand with a quality development, otherwise the site will remain dejected and a distraction to Caernarfon’s economic development and prosperity.

"The provision of a hotel and restaurant is the best possible option for Plas Brereton and as previously mentioned, to achieve viability a certain density of accommodation is required, in addition to approximately 120 covers, all as proposed.

“It is proposed that a substantial proportion of the works will be carried out by local contractors and suppliers.

"Materials will be sourced locally where possible.

“The economic benefit of this development will therefore be a boost to the local market, in addition to the use of local contractors, it will employ several full and part time staff and bring in tourists to the area.”

They added: “Finally, the adjoining property, Plas Ty Coch is also rapidly deteriorating. Although in different ownership, we believe that developing Plas Brereton would be a catalyst to develop Plas Ty Coch, possibly throwing a lifeline to a listed building.”

The estate of Plas Brereton appears to date from the late 18th century and was in the possession of the Turner family, Thomas Turner being a prominent local banker.

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Mark Thomas

Liverpool-born Mark joined the Daily Post in January 2014 after seven years as editor of its Merseyside sister title the Liverpool Post. He started out as a weekly news reporter on Wirral Newspapers, and spent seven years at the Daily Post and Liverpool Echo. He was The Press Association's regional correspondent for North Wales, Merseyside and Cheshire from 1983 to 1997, before returning to the ECHO as deputy news editor. He has won a number of journalism awards, including the UK Press Gazzette Regional Reporter of the Year award, and in 1993 wrote a book on the James Bulger murder.